“The most disadvantaged dads end up looking like they’re completely distanced from their kids but they’re actually giving quite a lot,” said one of the authors, Kathryn Edin, a sociologist and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Distinguished Professor. “I was really surprised by how much these disadvantaged guys, these truly marginally employed men, are putting all of this thought and what little resources they have into showing their children that they care.”

From the article, “The most common answer is presence: VR has the promise of making you feel present in another place …” I think VR for offworld parents will be much more than just gaming. Expect VR experiences around homework activities, going to the beach, household activities as well as battling dragons.

“It may not be able to replace in-person play, but it allows him to maintain a sense of connection and immediacy that no amount of letters, e-mails, even phone calls could replicate. Through video games Tristan and his friend can hang out in these virtual settings and craft their own ways to play.”